Stable perfumed bleaching compositions

ABSTRACT

Stable, perfumed, highly acidic liquid compositions are disclosed which comprise a source of active oxygen, a surfactant and a cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene compound (e.g. eucalyptol). Said compositions are particularly suitable to clean hard surfaces like toilet bowls.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to bleaching compositions, moreparticularly to stable perfumed acidic liquid compositions comprising asource of active oxygen. Said compositions are particularly suitable forthe bleaching and cleaning of hard-surfaces including toilet bowls andthe like.

Background

A great variety of bleaching and cleaning compositions have beendescribed in the art. Bleaching/cleaning compositions comprising asource of active oxygen and being formulated at low pH are particularlyinteresting for the cleaning of hard-surfaces, especially for thehygienic cleaning of sanitary fittings such as toilet bowls and thelike.

A drawback associated with liquid compositions comprising a source ofactive oxygen, and more particularly with liquid compositions comprisinga source of active oxygen and being formulated at low pH, is that it isquite difficult to stably incorporate perfumes therein. Indeed,traditional perfumes are usually made by a blend of components includingesters, chetones, aldehydes and the like. Said perfumes are sensitive tosources of active oxygen and/or to low pH. In other words, said perfumesshow significant instability in liquid compositions comprising a sourceof active oxygen like persulphate salts or hydrogen peroxide, especiallywhen formulated in highly acidic conditions.

Indeed, such perfumes are easily hydrolysed in the presence of low pH,especially at pH below 2. The result of such hydrolysis is that perfumeslose their original fragrance/smell.

Such perfumes like, for example, those commercially available fromDragoco under the name of Ultra clean plus® or Givaudian-Roure®, areeasily oxidised by sources of active oxygen, leading thereby to a lossof the total amount of active perfumes resulting in a loss of theiroriginal fragrance/smell as well as to a loss of the total amount ofactive oxygen which would otherwise be available to perform itsbleaching action on the surfaces to be treated.

In fact, bleaching species, like hydrogen peroxide and/or persulphate,not only decompose perfume components upon an oxidation mechanism, butalso decompose themselves in the presence of perfumes, therefore leadingto a lowering of the total level of the bleach in a liquid compositionand especially in a highly acidic liquid composition, with consequentperformance issues and chemical stability issues upon long storageperiods.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide perfumedliquid compositions, especially perfumed highly acidic liquidcompositions comprising a source of active oxygen which are chemicallystable for long storage periods.

It is another object of the present invention to provide perfumed highlyacidic liquid compositions comprising a source of active oxygen whichdeliver improved scent.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide perfumedhighly acidic liquid compositions comprising a source of active oxygenwhich deliver improved bleaching performance.

The present invention meets the above objects by incorporating a cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfume selected from the group of eucalyptol,cedrol, pinocarveolus, sesquiterpenic globulul alcohol and mixturesthereof, in an acidic liquid composition having a pH below 2, andcomprising a source of active oxygen and a surfactant. Moreparticularly, it has been found that said cyclic terpene/sesquiterpeneperfumes and especially eucalyptol are insensitive to pH, especiallyhighly acidic pH and to sources; of active oxygen. Thus, byincorporating such a perfume into a highly acidic liquid compositioncomprising a source of active oxygen and a surfactant excellent chemicalstability is obtained upon long storage periods as well as improvedscent and/or improved bleaching performance, as compared to the samecomposition but with another perfume, like, for instance, traditionalblends of components like Ultra Clean Plus® commercially available fromDragoco. Indeed, the chemical decomposition of a source of active oxygenpresent in a liquid composition, especially in a highly acidic liquidcomposition, is reduced in the presence of said cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfumes like eucalyptol, as compared to otherperfumes like Ultra Clean Plus® commercially available from Dragoco.

An advantage associated with the compositions of the present inventioncomprising said cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfumes like eucalyptol isthat good bacterial performance is delivered. Indeed, the incorporationof said cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfumes like eucalyptol in forexample a highly acidic liquid composition comprising a source of activeoxygen and a surfactant, allows to reduce the total level of source ofactive oxygen necessary in said liquid composition to deliver a givendisinfection performance as compared to the same composition but withoutsaid cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfumes like eucalyptol.

Another advantage of the incorporation of said cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfumes like eucalyptol in highly acidic liquidcompositions comprising a source of active oxygen and a surfactant, isthat said compositions may be easily formulated as thickenedcompositions. Indeed, it has been found that said cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfumes and especially eucalyptol have a minimalimpact on viscosity. In other words, they allow to formulate stableperfumed acidic liquid compositions comprising a source of active oxygenand a surfactant, that still have high viscosity, despite the presenceof perfumes, even at high levels. In fact, traditional perfumes likeUltra Clean Plus® commercially available from Dragoco, especially athigh levels of said perfumes, are known to have a. general tendency tosignificantly decrease composition viscosity by changinglaminar/micellar aggregation.

Furthermore, said cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfumes like eucalyptolare easily dissolved in water based matrix like the acidic liquidcompositions of the present invention upon dissolution of low levels ofsurfactants. For example, when formulating the present compositions asthickened compositions, lower levels of cationic surfactants are neededto stably incorporate said cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfumes in thecompositions herein while providing the desired viscosity to saidcompositions. In other words, the incorporation of such a cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfume, in a perfumed highly acidic liquidbleaching composition allows to achieve optimum rheology forhard-surfaces applications including vertical hard-surface applicationswith less surfactants than would otherwise be required with the presenceof other perfumes instead of said perfume according to the presentinvention. This results in another advantage of the present inventionwhich is the ease of spread and rinse of the compositions herein whenapplied on hard-surfaces. In fact, poor product rinsing is driven by thecrystallisation of the layers of surfactants like cationic surfactantsdeposited onto a hard-surface, e.g. toilet blows. Once crystals areformed, they tightly encrust on the surface and cannot be easily removedwithout mechanical help, e.g. friction and/or rubbing. The use of saidcyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfumes like eucalyptol as the perfume tobe incorporated in a perfumed highly acidic liquid bleaching compositionallows the use of lower levels of surfactants like cationic surfactants,preventing and/or minimising thereby the crystal growth, and thusfacilitating its rinse, this even after overnight application of saidcomposition on a toilet bowl.

Yet another advantage is that the stable perfumed acidic liquidcompositions of the present invention are efficient on various surfacesto clean various soils and stains. Additionally, said compositions, whenused to treat hard-surfaces, especially toilet bowls, exhibitoutstanding soil discoloration, soil solubilization and emulsificationproperties together with a germicidal action, this when used both neator diluted.

EP-A-188 025 discloses liquid stable thickened low-pH bleachingcompositions comprising an inorganic peroxy compound, a strong acid anda thickening surfactant. In EP-A-188 025 the thickening surfactant is;selected from (1) amine oxides wherein at least one of the hydrocarbongroups linked to the nitrogen is a linear or branched alkyl group of C6to C18 carbon atoms, preferably C12 to C18, (2) amines and (3)quatemaary ammonium salts wherein at least one of the hydrocarbon groupslinked to the nitrogen is a linear or branched alkyl group of C8 to C18carbon atoms. No cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfumes are disclosed.

EP-A-598 694 discloses acidic compositions (pH=0-4) comprisingpersulfate salts and nonionic surfactants which are suitable to cleantoilet bowls. No cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfumes are disclosed.

WO 95/15495 disclosesacidic thickened aqueous compositions comprisingpersulfate salts and a surfactant thickening system comprising aquatemary ammonium compound together with a short chain amine oxide.Said compositions are suitable to clean hard-surfaces including toiletbowls. No cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfumes are disclosed.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,587 discloses liquid antimicrobial compositionswhich can be used to sanitise, disinfect, and clean hard-surfaces. Moreparticularly, said patent discloses liquid compositions (pH 1 to 12)comprising essential oils which exhibit antimicrobial propertiesefficacy (0.02% to 5%) such as eucalyptus. Said compositions may furthercomprise other antimicrobial ingredients like phenolic compounds,quatemary ammonium compounds. No source of active oxygen is disclosed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention encompasses a perfumed acidic liquid bleachingcomposition having a pH below 2, and comprising a source of activeoxygen, a surfactant and a cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfume selectedfrom the group of eucalyptol, cedrol, pinocarveolus, sesquiterpenicglobulul alcohol and mixtures thereof.

The present invention also encompasses a process of treatinghard-surfaces, especially toilet bowls, wherein a perfumed acidic liquidcomposition according to the present invention, is used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The compositions of the present invention are acidic compositions. Inorder to obtain appropriate stability of the source of active oxygen inthe compositions according to the present invention, said compositionsare formulated at a pH bellow 2, preferably at a pH between 0 and 1,more preferably at a pH between 0 and 0.7, and most preferably at a pHbetween 0 and 0.5. Acidity further contributes to formulate compositionsaccording to the present invention which exhibit good limescale removingperformance while exhibiting also good disinfecting properties.Accordingly, the compositions of the present invention comprise organicand/or inorganic acids. Particularly suitable organic acids to be usedherein are aryl and/or alkyl sulfonate, such as methane sulfonic acids,citric acid, succinic acid, sulphamic acid and the like. Particularlysuitable inorganic acids are sulfuric, phosphoric, nitric acids and thelike.

The compositions according to the present invention comprise, as anessential ingredient, a source of active oxygen, or mixtures thereof.The source of active oxygen according to the present invention acts asan oxidising agent, it increases the ability of the compositions toremove colored stains and organic stains in general, to destroymalodorous molecules and to kill germs. Suitable sources of activeoxygen for use herein are water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxideincluding persulfate, dipersulphate, persulfuric acid, percarbonates,metal peroxides, perborates, persilicate salts, and mixtures thereof, aswell as hydrogen peroxide, and mixtures thereof. As used herein ahydrogen peroxide source refers to any compound which produces hydrogenperoxide when said compound is in contact with water.

In addition, other classes of peroxides can be used as an alternative tohydrogen peroxide and sources thereof or in combination with hydrogenperoxide and sources thereof. Suitable classes includedialkylperoxides., diacylperoxides, preformed percarboxylic acids,organic and inorganic peroxides and/or hydroperoxides.

Suitable organic peroxides/hydroperoxides include diacyl and dialkylperoxides/hydroperoxides such as dibenzoyl peroxide, t-butrlhydroperoxide, dilauroyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, and mixturesthereof

Suitable preformed peroxyacids for use in the compositions according tothe present invention include diperoxydodecandloic acid DPDA, magnesiumperphthalic acid, perlauric acid, perbenzoic acid, diperoxyazelaic acidand mixtures thereof.

Persulfate salts, or mixtures thereof, are the preferred sources ofactive oxygen to be used in the compositions according to the presentinvention. Preferred persulfate salt to be used herein is themonopersulfate triple salt. One example of monopersulfate saltcommercially available is potassium monopersulfate commercialised byPeroxide Chemie GMBH under the trade name Curox®. Other persulfate saltssuch as dipersulfate salts commercially available from Peroxide ChemieGMBH can be used in the compositions according to the present invention.

The compositions according to the present invention comprise from 0.1%to 30% by weight of the total composition of said source of activeoxygen, or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.1% to 20%, morepreferably from 1% to 10%, and most preferably from 1% to 7%.

The compositions according to the present invention comprise, as anessential ingredient, a cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfume selectedfrom the group of eucalyptol, cedrol, pinocarveolus, sesquiterpenicglobulul alcohol and mixtures thereof.

Eucatyptol (1,8-cyneol) is highly preferred herein as said cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfume. Eucalyptol may be available per se as araw material as well as in the form of essential oil of eucalyptus.Examples of eucalyptol to be used herein is the one commerciallyavailable under the trade name Eucalyptol® from Garcia, Bordas, orSelin.

The compositions according to the present invention comprise from 0.01to 5% by weight of the total composition of said cyclic,terpene/sesquiterpene perfume, preferably from 0.01% to 3%, morepreferably from 0.01 to 1%, and most preferably from 0.1% to 0.5%.

The compositions according to the present invention comprise, as anessential ingredient, a surfactant, or mixtures thereof. Saidsurfactants help the stable incorporation of said cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfume in the highly acidic liquid bleachingcompositions of the present invention. The presence of said surfactantsin the perfumed highly acidic liquid bleaching compositions of thepresent invention also allows to provide good cleaning performance ondifferent types of stains including bleachable stains like tea, grass,enzymatic stains like blood, greasy stains like barbecue sauce,spaghetti sauce, bacon grease and the like. The presence of saidsurfactants in the compositions herein may also allow to providecompositions with desired viscosity by appropriately chosen surfactantsand levels thereof. Indeed, in a preferred embodiment according to thepresent invention the compositions herein are thickened. Such thickenedcompositions are desirable since the compositions herein are preferablyused on inclined surfaces such as bath tubs, sinks or toilet bowls.Thickened compositions have a better cling onto inclined surfaces, thusa longer residence time for the compositions to remove for examplemineral encrustations. The thickened compositions according to thepresent invention have preferably a viscosity of more than 100 cps at20° C., more preferably of from 150 cps to 1500 cps, and most preferablyof from 250 cps to 900 cps, when measured with a Brookfield viscometerat 60 rpm with a spindle n° 2 or with the Carri-med rheometer at 50dyne/cm2.

All types of surfactants may be used in the present invention includingnonionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants. Itis also possible to use mixtures of such surfactants without departingfrom the spirit of the present invention.

Accordingly, the compositions according to the present inventioncomprise up to 50% by weight of the total composition of a surfactant,or mixtures thereof, preferably of from 0.1% to 20%, more preferably offrom 1% to 10%, and most preferably of from 1% to 5%.

Preferred surfactants to be used herein are the cationic surfactants, ormixtures thereof. This is because they have better hard-surfacesubstantivity/affinity resulting thereby in better cling onto saidsurface (hard-surfaces are typically made by layers of anionic specieslike silicates and/or alluminates). Said cationic surfactants have alsoexcellent stability even at the lowest pH. Suitable cationic surfactantsto be used herein include derivatives of quatemary ammonium,phosphonium, imidazolium and sulfonium compounds. Preferred cationicsurfactants for use herein are quaternary ammonium compounds wherein oneor two of the hydrocarbon groups linked to nitrogen are a saturated,linear or branched alkyl group of 6 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably of 10to 25 carbon atoms, and more preferably of 12 to 20 carbon atoms, andwherein the other hydrocarbon groups (i.e. three when one hydrocarbongroup is a long chain hydrocarbon group as mentioned hereinbefore or twowhen two hydrocarbon groups are long chain hydrocarbon groups asmentioned hereinbefore) linked to the nitrogen are independentlysubstituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched, alkyl chain of from 1to 4 carbon atoms, preferably of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and morepreferably are methyl groups. In the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention where persulfate salts or mixtures thereof are used as sourcesof active oxygen, the quaternary ammonium compound is preferably anon-chloride/non halogen quatemary ammonium compound. The counterionused in said quatemary ammonium compounds are compatible with any sourceof active oxygen and are selected from the group of methyl sulfate, ormethylsulfonate, and the like.

Particularly preferred to be used in the compositions of the presentinvention are trimethyl quatemary ammonium compounds like myristyltrimethylsulfate, cetyl trimethylsulfate and/or tallow trimethylsulfate.Such trimethyl quatemary ammonium compounds are commercially availablefrom Hoechst, or from Albright & Wilson under the trade name EMPIGENCM®.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants to be used in the compositions accordingto the present invention include amine oxides having the followingformula R₁R₂R₃NO wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is independently asaturated substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl groupsof from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably of from 6 to 30 carbon atoms,more preferably ol from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, and most preferably offrom 8 to 18 carbor, atoms. Suitable amine oxides for use herein arepreferably compatible with source of active oxygen. Preferred amineoxides for use herein are for instance natural blend C8-C10 amine oxidesas well as C12-C16 amine oxides commercially available from Hoechst.

In one embodiment of the present invention where the compositionsaccording to the present invention are thickened, quatemary ammonium andshort chain amine oxide are preferably used as the thickening system.

Suitable short chain amine oxides to be used according to the presentinvention are amine oxides having the following formula R₁R₂R₃NO whereinR1 is a C6 to C10 alkyl group, preferably a C8 to C10 alkyl group andwherein R2 and R3 are independently substituted or unsubstituted, linearor branched alkyl groups of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably of from1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably are methyl groups. R1 may be asaturated linear or branched alkyl group. Suitable short chain amineoxides for use herein are preferably compatible with any source ofactive oxygen. Preferred short chain amine oxides for use herein are forinstance natural blend C8-C10 amine oxides available from Hoechst.

In the embodiment of the present invention where the thickening systemused is said quaternary ammonium compound and said short chain amineoxide, the total level of thickening system to be used in a givenperfumed liquid acidic composition comprising a source of active oxygendepends on the thickening desired for said composition, said level beinglower than 20%, preferably between 0.1% and 10%, more preferably between0.1% nad 2% and 5%, and most preferably between 0.1% and 2%.

Suitable nonionic surfactants to be used herein are alkoxylated fattyalcohol nonionic surfactants which can be readily made by condensationprocesses which are well known in the art. Indeed, a great variety ofsuch alkoxylated fatty alcohols are commercially available which havevery different HLB values. The HLB values of such alkoxylated nonionicsurfactants depend essentially on the chain length of the fatty alcohol,the nature of the alkoxylation and the degree of alkoxylation.Hydrophilic nonionic surfactants tend to have a high degree ofalkoxylation and a short chain fatty alcohol, while hydrophobicsurfactants tend to have a low degree of alkoxylation and a long chainfatty alcohol. Surfactants catalogues are available which list a numberof surfactants including nonionics, together with their respective HLBvalues.

Accordingly, preferred alkoxylated alcohols for use herein are nonionicsurfactants according to the formula RO(E)e(P)pH where R is ahydrocarbon chain of from 2 to 24 carbon atoms, E is ethylene oxide andP is propylene oxide, and e and p which represent the average degree of,respectively ethoxylation and propoxylation, are of from 0 to 24. Thehydrophobic moiety of the nonionic compound can be a primary orsecondary, straight or branched alcohol having from 8 to 24 carbonatoms. Preferred nonionic surfactants for use in the compositionsaccording to the invention are the condensation products of ethyleneoxide with alcohols having a straight alkyl chain, having from 6 to 22carbon atoms, wherein the degree of ethoxylation is from 1 to 15,preferably from 5 to 12. Such suitable nonionic surfactants arecommercially available from Shell, for instance, under the trade nameDobanol® or from Shell under the trade name Lutensol®. These nonionicsare preferred because they have been found to allow the formulation of astable product without requiring the addition of stabilisers orhydrotopes. When using other nonionics, it may be necessary to addhydrotopes such as cumene sulphonate or solvents such asbutyldiglycolether.

Particularly suitable anionic surfactants arealkyl-diphenyl-ether-sulphonates and alkyl-carboxylates. Other, suitableanionic surfactants herein include water soluble salts or acids of theformula ROSO₃M wherein R is preferably a C₁₀-C₂₄ hydrocarbyl, preferablyan alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having a C₁₀-C₂₀ alkyl component, morepreferably a C₁₂-C₁₈ alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and M is H or a cation,e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium), orammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, and trmethylammonium cations and quatemary ammonium cations, such astetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium cations and quatemaryammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine,diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).

Other anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can also be usedherein. These can include salts (including, for example, sodium,potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di-and triethanolamine salts) of soap, C₉-C₂₀ linearalkylbenzenesulfonates, C₈-C22 primary or secondary alkanesulfonates,C₈-C₂₄ olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared bysulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates,e.g., as described in British patent specification No. 1,082,179, C₈-C₂₄alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethyleneoxide); alkyl ester sulfonates such as C₁₄-₁₆ methyl ester sulfonates;acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenolethylene oxide ether sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates,isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkylsuccinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate(especially saturated and unsaturated C₁₂-C₁₈ monoesters) diesters ofsulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C₆-C14 diesters),acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfatesof alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds beingdescribed below), branched primary alkyl sulfates, alkyl polyethoxycarboxylates such as those of the formula RO(CH₂CH₂O)_(k)CH₂COO—M⁺wherein R is a C₈-C₂₂ alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is asoluble salt-forming cation. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acidsare also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acidsand hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall oil.Further examples are given in “Surface Active Agents and Detergents”(Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of suchsurfactants are also generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678,issued Dec. 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et al. at Column 23, line 58 throughColumn 29, line 23 (herein incorporated by reference).

Preferred anionic surfactants for use in the compositions herein are thealkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl alkoxylated sulfates,and mixtures thereof. Anionic surfactants provide improved cleaningperformance.

The present invention allows to formulate perfumed highly acidic liquidbleaching compositions with excellent chemical stability and/or whichdeliver improved scent and/or improved bleaching performance.

By “stable” it is meant herein that a composition of the presentinvention comprising a source of active oxygen or mixtures thereof, suchas persulfate salt, preferably does not undergo more than 40% persulfateloss, in 6 months at room temperature (20° C.-25≅ C.). Persulfateconcentration can be measured by titration with potassium permanganateafter reduction with a solution containing ammonium ferrous sulphate.Said stability test method is well known in the art and is reported, forexample, on the technical information sheet of Curox® commerciallyavailable from Interox. Alternatively persulfate concentration can alsobe measured using a chromatography method described in the literaturefor peracids (F. Di Furia et al., Gas-liquid Chromatography Method forDetermination of Peracids, Analyst, Vol 113, May 1988, p 793-795).

It has now been found that by incorporating a cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfume selected from the group of eucalyptol,cedrol, pinocarveolus, sesquiterpenic globulul alcohol and mixturesthereof into a highly acidic liquid composition comprising a source ofactive oxygen and a surfactant excellent chemical stability is obtainedupon long storage periods, as compared to the same composition but withanother perfume, like, for instance, traditional blends of componentslike Ultra Clean Plus® commercially available from Dragoco. Indeed, thechemical decomposition of a source of active oxygen present in a liquidcomposition, especially in a highly acidic liquid composition, isreduced in the presence of said cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfumeslike eucalyptol, as compared to other perfumes like Ultra Clean Plus®commercially available from Dragoco. Accordingly, in its broadest aspectthe present invention encompasses the use of a cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfume selected from the group of eucalyptol,cedrol, pinocarveolus, sesquiterpenic globulul alcohol and mixturesthereof, in a liquid composition comprising a source of active oxygen toprovide liquid perfumed bleaching compositions with excellent chemicalstability that are suitable for bleaching and/or disinfecting surfaces.

By “improved scent” it is meant herein that when measured at a givenstorage time the loss of the original fragrance/smell of a perfumedacidic liquid composition comprising a source of active oxygen, asurfactant and a cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfume according to thepresent invention is reduced, as compared to the loss of the originalfragrance/smell of the same composition but with another perfume likeUltra Clean Plus® commercially available from Dragoco, instead of saidcyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfume according to the present invention.

By “improved bleaching performance” it is meant herein that the perfumedacidic liquid compositions comprising a source of active oxygen, asurfactant and a cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfume according to thepresent invention allow to provide better bleaching performance than thesame compositions but with another perfume like Ultra Clean Plus®commercially available from Dragoco, instead of said cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfume according to the present invention.

Also, It has now been found that said cyclic terpene/sesquiterpeneperfumes like eucalyptol due to their antimicrobial activity, allow toreduce the total level of source of active oxygen necessary in a givenliquid bleaching composition to deliver a given disinfectionperformance, as compared to the same composition without said cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfumes like eucalyptol, as the perfume.

It has further been observed that the incorporation of said cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfumes in highly acidic liquid compositionscomprising a source of active oxygen and a surfactant, does notinterfere on the rheology of said compositions. Indeed, it has beenfound that said cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfumes like eucalyptolhave a minimal impact on viscosity. This allows in particular toformulate thickened highly acidic liquid bleaching compositions whichare chemically stable upon a prolonged period of time.

The compositions according to the present invention are liquid,preferably aqueous. The compositions according to the present inventioncomprise from 40% to 99% by weight of the total composition of water,preferably from 60% to 95%, most preferably from 70% to 90%. Deionizedwater is preferably used.

Depending on the end use envisioned, the compositions according to thepresent invention may further comprise a variety of other ingredientsincluding dyes, optical brighteners, builders, chelants, pigments,solvents, buffering agents, radical scavengers, polymers, stabilizersand the like.

The present invention further encompasses a process of treatinghard-surfaces, especially non-horizontal surfaces like toilet bowls,wherein a composition according to the present invention is used in itsneat or diluted form. By “in its diluted form” it is meant herein thatsaid compositions may be diluted with water up to 99% of water. Saiddilution may occur either before, after or while said composition isapplied to a hard-surface.

The compositions herein find a preferred application in the cleaning oftoilet bowls and/or bath tubs. While cleaning toilet bowls compositionsaccording to the present invention may be diluted while or after theyare applied to the surface to be cleaned. For example, said compositionsmay be dispensed from a container onto said hard-surface, then dilutedin water and left to act onto said surfaces, then removed by rinsing orflushing.

As used in the foregoing paragraphs, the expression “treating” includeswashing as the compositions used in the process according to the presentinvention comprise surfactants and bleaching as said compositions alsocomprise a source of active oxygen, preferably persulfate salts.

The present invention is further illustrated by the following examples.

EXAMPLES

The following compositions were made by mixing the listed ingredients inthe listed proportions (weight %). All these compositions werechemically stable upon prolonged period of storage, i.e. they did notundergo more than 40% loss when stored at ambient temperature for aperiod of 6 months. Said compositions also delivered excellent scentupon prolonged storage time and excellent bleaching performance uponuse.

#1 #2 #3 Compositions: (weight %) Curox ® 4 4 6 C16-quat surfactant 1.8— 2.5 C16-l8 quat surfactant — 2.2 — Eucalyptol 0.3 0.5 0.3 pH (trimmedwith H2S04) 0.5 0.5 0.7 Minors and water up to 100% Viscosity˜ 350 400550 (cps at 60 rpm with spindle n°2)

curox® is one of the commercial names of monopersultate salts

#4 #5 #6 Compositions: (weight %) Curox ® 4 6 4 C16-quat surfactant 2.5— 2.5 C16-l8 quat surfactant — 4.0 — C8-C12 amine oxides 0.2 0.2 —Cedrol — — 0.3 Eucalyptus 0.3 0.5 — pH (trimmed with H2SO4) 0.7 0.5 0.7Minors and water up to 100% Viscosity˜ 400 400 300 (cps at 60 rpm withspindle n°2)

What is claimed is:
 1. A perfumed acidic liquid composition having a pHof from 0 to 1, and comprising a source of active oxygen, a surfactant,and a cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfume selected from the groupconsisting of eucalyptol, cedrol, pinocarveolus, sesquiterpeaic globululalcohol, and mixtures thereof.
 2. A composition according to claim 1wherein said source of active oxygen is a hydrogen peroxygen, or asource thereof selected from the group consisting of persulfates,dipersulfates, persulfuric acids, percarbonates, metal peroxides,perborates, persilicate salts, dialkylperoxides, diacylperoxides,preformed percarboxylic acids, organic and inorganic peroxides and/orhydroperoxides and mixtures thereof.
 3. A composition according to claim1 wherein said source of active oxygen is a persulfate salt or mixturesthereof.
 4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfuime is eucalyptol.
 5. A composition accordingto claim 1 wherein the level of said source of active oxygen, ormixtures thereof, is from 0.1% to 30% by weight of the totalcomposition.
 6. A composition according to claim 5 wherein the level ofsaid source of active oxygen, or mixtures thereof, is from 0.1% to 20%by weight of the total composition.
 7. A composition according to claim5 wherein the level of said source of active oxygen, or mixturesthereof, is from 1% to 10% by weight of the total composition.
 8. Acomposition according to claim 1 wherein the level of said cyclicterpene/sesquiterpene perfume, or mixtures thereof, is from 0.01% to 5%by weight of the total composition.
 9. A composition according to claim8 wherein the level of said cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfume, ormixtures thereof, is from 0.01% to 3% by weight of the totalcomposition.
 10. A composition according to claim 8 wherein the level ofsaid cyclic terpene/sesquiterpene perfume, or mixtures thereof, is from0.01% to 1% by weight of the total composition.
 11. A compositionaccording to claim 1 wherein said surfactant is selected from the groupconsisting of cationic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, anionicsurfactant, zwitterionic surfactant and/or amphoteric surfactant, and ispresent up to a level of 50% by weight of the total composition.
 12. Acomposition according to claim 1 wherein said surfactant is selectedfrom the group consisting of cationic surfactant, nonionic surfactant,anionic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant and/or amphotericsurfactant, and is present at a level of from 0.1% to 20% by weight ofthe total composition.
 13. A composition according to claim 11, whereinsaid surfactant is a cationic surfactant or mixtures thereof.
 14. Acomposition according to claim 11, wherein said surfactant is athickening surfactant system comprising a cationic surfactant ormixtures thereof and an amine oxide having the formula R₁R₂R₃NO, whereinR₁ is a C₆ to C₁₀ alkyl group, and R₂ and R₃ are independently alkylgroups of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the composition has aviscosity of more than 100 cps at 20° C., when measured with aBrookfield viscometer at 60 rpm with a spindle n°
 2. 15. A compositionaccording to claim 14 wherein said composition has a viscosity of from150 cps to 1500 cps at 20° C., when measured with a Brookfieldviscometer at 60 rpm with a spindle n°
 2. 16. A composition according toclaim 1 wherein said composition has a pH of from 0 to 0.7.
 17. Aprocess of treating a hard-surface wherein a composition according toclaim 11 is used.
 18. A process of treating a hard-surface according toclaim 17 wherein said hard-surface is a toilet bowl.
 19. A process oftreating a hard-surface wherein a composition according to claim 13 isused.
 20. A process of treating a hard-surface according to claim 19wherein said hard-surface is a toilet bowl.
 21. A process of treating ahard-surface wherein a composition according to claim 14 is used.
 22. Aprocess of treating a hard-surface according to claim 21 wherein saidhard-surface is a toilet bowl.
 23. A composition according to claim 1wherein the perfume is cedrol.
 24. A composition according to claim 1wherein the perfume is pinocarveolus.
 25. A composition according toclaim 1 wherein the perfume is sesquiterpinic globulul alcohol.
 26. Acomposition according to claim 13 wherein the source of active oxygen isa monopersulfate salt or mixture of monopersulfate salts.
 27. Acomposition of claim 13 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is onewherein one or two of the hydrocarbon groups linked to nitrogen aresaturated, linear or branched alkyl groups of 6 to 30 carbon atoms, andwherein the other hydrocarbon groups linked to the nitrogen areindependently substituted or unsubstituted linear or branched alkylchains of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the counterion used insaid quaternary ammonium compound is methyl sulfate or methylsulfonate.28. A composition of claim 14 wherein the quaternary ammonium compoundis one wherein one or two of the hydrocarbon groups linked to nitrogenare saturated, linear or branched alkyl groups of 6 to 30 carbon atoms,and wherein the other hydrocarbon groups linked to the nitrogen areindependently substituted or unsubstituted linear or branched alkylchains of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and wherein the counterion used insaid quaternary ammonium compound is methyl sulfate or methylsulfonate.